Story worlds

After a seminar with Sharon Sage this is what I have deduced about Story worlds.
Before you can make an effective story world you first need to understand the key factors of what an effective story world is. This is an extremely complex question. When looking at successful story's based in coherent worlds the depth of work put into creating that is often overlooked. This is because, when creating a narrative that is truly spectacular, a strong and well knit coherent world is a key ingredient. If the world is not well made then the audience will find holes and irregularities in the narrative and it will loose its unique feel.
A brilliant example of a strong story world would be that created by J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. A timeless classic who's narrative is still enjoyed by the masses today. Tolkien built this coherent world from the ground up, going into great detail in almost everything. People, land, culture, beliefs, creatures, items and ever so much more. Even things that had no meaning or impact on the narrative were not spared the depth of detail in creation.
The line between over constricting and letting loose your audiences imagination is quite fine. You want them to have an understanding and feel of the atmosphere you are creating using connotation and description. On the other hand you don't want to limit your audiences imagination, you want them to have a sense of integration in your world and not feel separate to it.
One thing I have noticed a lot whilst studying this section of my research, after Sharon Sage pointed it out, is that it is very easy to find examples of a working story world though it is very difficult to find a bad example. Weather this is down to these story world just being unsuccessful hence don't become well known, Im not sure. I believe though I have found a good example of a successful franchise that in my eyes has a poor narrative and story world combination. Assassins creed. The way the game is played out and the way in which it directs you seems to tear the plot and the coherent world apart. They feels as if they have been created separately and then forced together into some kind of confusing path of chronological events.